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Guest Post! Mike, over at http://mikemanningmusings.blogspot.com/ asked if he could feature an article on my blog that he wrote. He recently has been looking into how fitness and eating healthy can specifically benefit frequent travelers and those on vacation. Because I enjoy working out, and traveling, his article seems to fit into my blog quite perfectly. I hope you enjoy what he has prepared!

How to Stay in Shape While Away

Some of us have to travel for business while others travel exclusively for recreation. Regardless of the reason for traveling, however, is important to take steps to ensure that you are able to maintain your fitness routine while away from home. Those who travel frequently have an even more difficult burden. Fortunately, it has never been easier to maintain a fitness routine while away from home. Here are a few guidelines for travelers who wish to stay in shape all away from home.

Research Early

The hotel you choose can have a profound impact on your ability to exercise while away from home. Almost all hotels now offer fitness centers, and these centers have grown considerably through the years. However, it should be noted that your particular fitness routine might not work in the hotel you have chosen. Because of this, determining what your potential hotel has to offer before making reservations can help. If the hotel offers yoga classes, you will want to ensure that you bring along appropriate clothing. On a recent trip to San Francisco I used a site called Gogobot to do some research before booking. This proved very useful because I could scroll through a list of San Francisco hotels and see which ones offered fitness rooms with the right equipment. In addition to researching what the hotel has to offer, consider where it is located. A hotel located next to a park, for example, may be a better place for those who enjoy running.

Develop a Simple System

One of the best ways to ensure that you are able to stay in shape while on the road is to develop a simple, portable exercise routine by focusing on yoga and other activities that can be performed in a hotel room. In addition, focusing on nutrition is of the utmost importance while away from home. Dining out can quickly cause you to surpass your normal caloric intake, which can make it difficult to maintain your weight [2]. Research restaurants located where you are traveling to before heading out, and develop a plan for maintaining your normal level of caloric intake.

Manage Your Stress

People who travel often for business often experience high levels of stress when they are away from home. Unfortunately, high stress levels can make exercise more difficult. By focusing on yoga and other forms of exercise that encourage slow breathing, it may be possible to reduce your stress levels and maintain your fitness routine. In addition, those who run regularly often find it to be calming. Focusing on reducing your stress levels also has the benefit of helping you perform better during meetings or while meeting with current or potential clients.

This past week Dan and I decided to try the “new” craze: The Paleo Diet. The concept is to eat like a caveman and it has also been referred to as the Stone Age diet and the Hunter-Gatherer diet. If you are 100% dedicated to this diet it consists of eating fish, grass-fed pasture raised meats, vegetables, fruit, fungi, roots, and nuts, and excludes grains, legumes, dairy, salt, refined sugar, and processed oils. It takes the idea of what was consumed during the Paleolithic era. This is where it gets its shortened name: Paleo.

Dan and I had to be realistic with our lifestyles. We enjoy being healthy during the week but then have no rules when it comes to the weekend. We like to live healthy and active lifestyles, but also want to have a life, and have fun without the guilt of cheating on a diet. So, we made a grocery list, are giving Paleo a shot and so far, so good. One amazing recipe that both of us probably had dreams about last night was found on paleomg.com and I wanted to share it with all of you.

Copied and pasted from the web site here are the instructions and ingredients:

Ingredients

2lb pork roast

1 yellow onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 (4 oz) can diced green chiles

2 anaheim chilis, seeds removed and chopped

1 poblano pepper, seeds removed and chopped

1-2 jalapeño peppers, diced

2 cups chicken or beef broth

1 (8oz) can of diced tomatoes

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon white pepper

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon sage

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

Pull out your crockpot.

Place your pork roast in the crockpot and place all the veggies around it.

Pour your green chiles and tomatoes over the pork.

Toss in all the spices on top.

Pour your broth in the crockpot.

Turn your crockpot on low and cook for 6-8 hours.

Once the time has elapsed, use some tongs to shred your pork and mix all the ingredients together.

Now when I say “Paleo With A Twist” it is because after the meal was done cooking, we added some brown rice to it to make it more of a meal, and so although the diet says ‘no carbs’ we have a few carbs added, but the “good kind.” Every diet has its rules, and a lot of people find it very hard to follow every single rule or find the perfect diet. But from one healthy person to the next, if you exercise, and eat in moderation, the world will still go round, and you will still be healthier than most of American’s are today.